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Yanks acquire infielder Nelson from Rockies

Colorado to receive cash or player to be named for four-year veteran

5/1/13: Yankees manager Joe Girardi discusses the acquisition of Chris Nelson from the Rockies and what they hope he brings to the club

By Bryan Hoch
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have acquired infielder Chris Nelson from the Rockies in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

Nelson, 27, hit .301 in 111 games for the Rockies last year, and he was hitting .242 (16-for-66) this season before the Rockies designated him for assignment on Sunday to bring up prospect Nolan Arenado.

"He's played third. He's played second," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Nelson. "I believe he was a first-round pick for the Rockies [in 2004]. We feel that a right-handed bat will help us. We're pretty left-handed right now, and we'll see. He's going to get a chance to play at some points."

To make room for Nelson on the 40-man roster, the Yankees placed catcher Francisco Cervelli (fractured right hand) on the 60-day disabled list.

New York will make a corresponding roster move to add Nelson to the 25-man roster before Friday's game, likely to option infielder Corban Joseph to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.